Round 20 vs Lewis & Friends

[chrisD]

Kingston is in reggies (he would never do that, according to many on here).

Who are these many?

 

[betcats]

I'm like Simmons but even if he's the better option than Naiqama, NSW cup is the better place for him to work out the cobwebs. Let's see how he comes back from injury before even thinking about kicking a young guy who's been performing pretty well.

Kev is pretty good under the high ball and a very good attacking winger. He just has to improve his positioning in defense and he has Simmo covered. I dont have a problem with Simmons coming back into the side when fit but I think Kevin has a chance to keep him out now.

 

[martielang]

I'm a big Simmons fan but I'm more than happy for Naiqama to keep his spot for the time being based on the last couple of games and Simmons probably being a rusty.

The issue I have, is a couple of people seem to base their opinion on Simmons on a couple of rough seasons he had at the sharks years ago. He was a 'interesting' signing at the time but he has been nothing but a professional for us. He has without doubt been our most consistent performer over the past 3 or 4 years and has literally had one bad game during that time. He was leading try scorer last year, safe as houses under the high ball and his partnership with Whare in both offence and defence is one of the best of the competition.... but he's not the quickest winger in the comp so therefore somehow that nullifies any other quality he has.

The bloke is 28/29 and playing the best football of his career. Blake, Jennings, DWZ need to show something more than they have (rather than rely on potential) to put Simmons out to pasture for good.

I also think its total rubbish to think we couldn't win a comp with a consistently good winger on one flank.

 

[chrisD]

Kevin is the better player and hopefully things stay as they are.

 

[ACTPanthers]

Kevin is the better player and hopefully things stay as they are.

In your opinion....

 

[TheFrog]

In your opinion....

Mine too, especially with Mansour out. Kev helps the forwards a bit, and the forwards need all the help they can get.

 

[ACTPanthers]

Mine too, especially with Mansour out. Kev helps the forwards a bit, and the forwards need all the help they can get.

And you're saying Simmo wouldn't do that....?

 

[martielang]

Not trying to start an argument but I genuinely would like to know what makes Kevin a better player?

 

[chrisD]

As sound under kick pressure and defensively as Simmons, as inclined to finish when outside his opposite, more inclined to finish when he has to come inside or some footwork is required to actually beat a defender, more likely to exploit kick chase defense with speed and footwork, probably hits the line as hard and is more capable of getting a quicker play the ball away against set defense, as or more effective at contesting attacking bombs.

 

[billypilgrimnz]

And you're saying Simmo wouldn't do that....?

Naiqama is a lot more powerful and faster than Simmons, so he makes more meters taking the ball out. He is no Mansour in that regard, but he's more of a handful than Simmons is.

The one clear advantage Simmons has is that he is less likely to lose the ball in the tackle. But Naiqama seems to have improved his ball security recently.

 

[TheFrog]

As sound under kick pressure and defensively as Simmons, as inclined to finish when outside his opposite, more inclined to finish when he has to come inside or some footwork is required to actually beat a defender, more likely to exploit kick chase defense with speed and footwork, probably hits the line as hard and is more capable of getting a quicker play the ball away against set defense, as or more effective at contesting attacking bombs.

He carted the ball up a number of times last game as well, a la Mansour. Simmons doesn't seem to do this, although I do think Simmons is superior under the attacking bomb.

 

[betcats]

He carted the ball up a number of times last game as well, a la Mansour. Simmons doesn't seem to do this, although I do think Simmons is superior under the attacking bomb.

Simmons does plenty of hitups coming off our line if thats what you are referring too, maybe not as effective him as some but you can't accuse of not helping out.

 

[billypilgrimnz]

Simmons does plenty of hitups coming off our line if thats what you are referring too, maybe not as effective as some but you can't accuse of not helping out.

In bold is the key point.

 

[betcats]

Blind freddy can see that Kev is a better ball runner then Simmons, its his defense and consistency that might let him down. I'd stick with Kev at this stage but if he returns to his early season form then Simmons should come back in.

 

[martielang]

I'd be interested to see if Naiqama does make more metres than Simmons?

No doubt Kev is more dangerous with ball in hand but he's also more prone to errors and defensively (incl. under the high ball) IMO he's not near Simmons yet.

Like I said earlier though, Naiqama has currently earnt his spot.

 

[maple_69]

Both are strong options and neither is our biggest problem. The pack needs to start making metres and its good to see Cleary trying something to address it. Maybe not how we would like but he's obviously not satisfied with what they have been producing so we're on the right track.

 

[MrAnonymous]

Only reason i would have Simmons in the team over Naquima is his combination with Whare.

Whare looks a better player when he has Simmons on the outside of him. More confident.

 

[franklin2323]

Not trying to start an argument but I genuinely would like to know what makes Kevin a better player?

Better thing to ask is what chances has Naiqama messed up that Simmon's wouldn't of? He's even finished off a few sharp tries. That run at the end of the Tigers game shows what he can do that Simmons can't.

 

[franklin2323]

As Maple said replacement wingers are doing 10+ hitups. 100+m gained & scoring tries.... Our props are of more a concern then our wingers

 

[mxlegend99]

Maybe Mansour should come into the front row when he returns... couldn't possibly be any softer then Kite has been. Would probably pump out twice the metres and have an arm ready for offload in all 20 of his hit ups.